Spanning 129.1 miles, this drive from Colonial Heights to McLean serves as a straightforward connection across Virginia. You should plan for a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Your budget for gas will be around $21, keeping the transit costs quite reasonable. The route relies heavily on the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike, I-95, and the Capital Beltway, situating you firmly within the Southeast region for the duration of the trip. Since you are moving from one part of the state to another, you will find this path offers a practical way to navigate the corridor between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
73.1 mi
1h 24m
I 95
36.6 mi
43m
Capital Beltway
9.5 mi
11m
Dolley Madison Boulevard
1.7 mi
4m
Route 1
1.6 mi
2m
Woods Edge Road
0.9 mi
1m
Boulevard
0.8 mi
1m
Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colonial Heights, VA and McLean, VA.
1
Start on this road
257 ft·24 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Ellerslie Avenue
0.3 mi·37 sec·East Ellerslie Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 1; US 301; VA 144
0.8 mi·1 min·Boulevard
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on US 1; US 301; VA 144
1.6 mi·2 min·Route 1
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto SR 620
0.9 mi·1 min·Woods Edge Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto I 95
20 mi·25 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95
53 mi·58 min·Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 95; US 17
1.6 mi·1 min·I 95; US 17
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto I 95
35 mi·41 min·I 95
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395
0.6 mi·52 sec·Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Exit 170A; 170BToward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons CornerUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.4 mi·1 min
Exit 170BToward I 495 North: Tysons CornerUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 495
1.0 mi·1 min·Capital Beltway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 495
8.5 mi·10 min·Capital Beltway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46BToward VA 123 North: McLeanUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto VA 123
1.7 mi·4 min·Dolley Madison Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto VA 309
0.5 mi·1 min·Old Dominion Drive
Use the right lane.
19
Turn sharp left onto Elm Street
101 ft·2 sec·Elm Street
20
Arrive at destination
Elm Street
Trip Plan
Given the heavy reliance on I-95, your biggest challenge will be managing traffic fluctuations near the major urban centers. Aim to leave at an off-peak time to ensure your 2-hour and 37-minute travel estimate remains accurate. You only need to plan for a single stop along the way to stretch your legs or refuel, which is plenty for a trip of this length. Since the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure to avoid the worst of the congestion on the Beltway. Keep a close eye on live traffic updates once you hit the 73.1-mile mark on the turnpike to decide if you need to adjust your approach into McLean.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.6 miles from Colonial Heights, VA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 28 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.6 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McLean, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colonial Heights, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colonial Heights, VA
This is one driving day of about 129.1 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Colonial Heights, VA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike for about 73.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 126.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Turn right onto SR 620 / Woods Edge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
24.5 mi into trip|~33m in|I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Tysons Corner
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 170A; 170B
Toward I 395 North, I 495 North: Washington, Ty...
7
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 170B
Toward I 495 North: Tysons Corner
7
126.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward VA 123 North: McLean
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46B
Toward VA 123 North: McLean
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.19 one way
$40.38 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.07
$44.15
premium
$4.70
$23.89
$47.79
diesel
$5.61
$28.50
$57.01
Estimated Tolls: $5.11
Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike
(73.1 mi)$5.11
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.7
0
$13.56
$6.20
Efficient EV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
EV Truck/SUV
51.6
0
$18.07
$8.26
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Colonial Heights, VA
Morning
in Colonial Heights on Tuesday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McLean, VA
Morning
in McLean on Tuesday
Local time
6:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Fredericksburg, VA
65 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Petersburg National Battlefield
National Battlefield
Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S. forces c...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
Park Closure: Eastern Front Tour Road south of Route 36 - Closed
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 129.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 86% of this journey is spent on major interstates. You will settle into a steady pace early on, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 73.1 miles along the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Because of the high highway percentage, the drive maintains a consistent, fast-moving character rather than a technical or winding feel. Navigating through the Capital Beltway toward the end of your trip will likely be the most significant change in traffic flow you encounter. Prepare yourself for a straightforward, high-speed transit that prioritizes efficiency over scenic diversions.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.1 mi on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and I 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near SR 620 / Woods Edge Road.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 129.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Colonial Heights, VA to McLean, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Tysons Corner along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 129.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.1 miles on Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.11 in tolls one way, starting with Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at McLean, VA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (SR 620 / Woods Edge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles (I 95 / Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.9 miles (I 395 / Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petersburg National Battlefield and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at McLean, VA before heading back.
